Marc Bourassa
When he finishes his term next year, CADA Chairman Marc Bourassa will become the longest serving Chairman in the Canadian Automobile Dealers Association’s 75-year history.
That’s because he stepped up to the plate from his role as First Vice-Chairman to take on the Chairman’s role a few months earlier in the usual one-year term. Bourassa replaces outgoing CADA Chairman Harry Mertin, who has retired.
“I’d like to thank Harry Mertin for his contribution to the association. He’s done a great job on the executive committee,” said CADA President and CEO John White in an interview with Canadian auto dealer. “May he enjoy a long, prosperous and healthy retirement.”
White said he looks forward to working with Bourassa. “I’m excited to have Marc coming in as acting Chairman and to take on the full reins in the upcoming October board meeting,” said White. “He’s a great thinker and has a balanced approach to business. He’s open minded and has contributed nicely in his years to CADA.”
In an interview with Canadian auto dealer, Bourassa also thanked Mertin for his valued service to the association and dealers. “I have been working with Harry Mertin at CADA. That guy is an amazing leader. I have learned so much from him,” said Bourassa. “Thank you Harry. I hope life will be great for you — you deserve it.”
Bourassa, whose father opened a Pontiac store in 1972, said he always knew he’d end up in the auto business. He first earned a degree in mechanical engineering, then spent 20 years working with his family’s dealerships in a variety of roles.
In 2008, Bourassa then ventured out on his own and now runs two successful Montreal-area dealerships, BMW West-Island and Cadillac of Laval. “I was very lucky to have a great father. He was always there. He gave us a chance to learn and make mistakes,” he said.
A well-known figure in the auto industry, Bourassa was president of the Montreal International Auto Show, has been involved with the Montreal Automobile Dealers Association, and has been active on a host of GM boards and committees, and worked with various charities.
“The car business is changing fast. That’s what I love about it. We need to keep up, and be ready,” said Bourassa. “That’s what I like about CADA. We are very well prepared and ready to take on any situation.”
He said he felt motivated to get involved with the national dealers association to help give back to the industry that served him and his family so well. But he said he has actually derived great benefit from it, meeting great people and learning a lot along the way. “You come across some great people,” said Bourassa.
Vehicle recall legislation
In the interview, Bourassa discussed several of the big files the association is working on in the coming months, including the new proposed federal vehicle recall legislation: the Strengthening Motor Vehicle Safety for Canadians Act, that was introduced by the Senate in May.
“This is a big file for us,” said Bourassa. “We want to make sure that any new Canadian recall legislation won’t impact dealers.”
Bourassa said the current legislation does not appear to place any added burden on dealers, and they want to ensure the liability remains with the manufacturers. “CADA is on the case and we will follow that file very closely,” he said.
Bank Act Reform
CADA is also sticking to its guns on its position on keeping banks out of the automotive leasing business, and will lobby against any changes to the federal Bank Act. “We did a survey among our dealers,” said Bourassa. “More than 95 per cent of dealers said it was the status quo and didn’t want anything to change.”
The association doesn’t want dealers to be competing for customers with their main financing partners. CADA has lobbied before against changing the Bank Act and it will be up for review again in 2019. “You can be sure that CADA will still be there and will continue to fight,” he said.
CADA 360 Services
Bourassa is also a big fan of CADA 360 services, which include employee benefit plans, a garage insurance program, home and auto insurance, retirement savings plans and employee incentive programs.
Bourassa said the program’s renewal rate of more than 90 per cent shows he’s not the only dealer happy with CADA 360. “I would like to say thank you to all dealers who use CADA 360,” he said.
“I am very pleased with the program, it’s very complete and comprehensive,” said Bourassa, who added his dealership recently signed up for the retirement savings plan program soon to be mandated by the Quebec government. He said it was the best one available, and at the best price, from the options his dealership considered.
Tim Ryan promotion
Bourassa also had high praise for Tim Ryan, the association’s newly-promoted Vice-President and Director of Industry Relations & General Counsel. “It’s well deserved,” said Bourassa. “Tim has done so much for the industry. He’s been through some tough files and is so dedicated.”
Bourassa was effusive in his praise for the people working for CADA. “We have an amazing group of people working hard for Canadian dealers,” he said, adding that apart from the dealers who serve in various roles, the senior management team are top notch, including its new leader CADA President and CEO John White.
“John is amazing,” said Bourassa, adding that replacing Rick Gauthier, who retired from the position, was a tough task. “He was the best replacement we can find and we are so pleased with him.”
Legal Action Fund
Bourassa said the association is well funded and ready to go to battle on behalf of dealers, if needed. “CADA is ready to take on any issue,” said Bourassa. “In the past we responded very strongly to any situation.”
With lots of issues on his plate and more on the horizon, it looks like Bourassa will need all the extra time his Chairmanship will provide him.
